Tier 4 and Tier 5?

You are correct. I will flag this to LEED User to make the correction. Thanks!

Thank you, Chris and Marcus! We import the language directly from USGBC, so something must have messed up with the import last time. I have removed the erroneous table and replaced it with the one I found in USGBC's credit library.

 I must be going nuts.(don't answer that) The LEED User site lists just the first three tiers, as noted by my good friend Chris Chatto. and if you go to the USGBC site, the credit language says the same. But the full LEED rating system on the USGBC site still includes the 5 tiers etc. and in the credit library under resources, the table for renewable energy still has 5 tiers. Am I learning that I should trust the credit language first and ignore the rating standards and resources? consistency?

Lisa, I was confused by the same thing earlier this year and reached out to LEEDcoach. The confusion stems from the fact that the initial v4.1 release had 5 tiers but then they changed to 3 tiers with the Nov 2020 addenda. The credit library will always show the most current language. But any project registered prior to the addenda can also use that version of the requirements (ex. very useful for the EV credit before they changed to 5%). Here's the full LEEDcoach response for reference: 

"LEED 2009 or LEED v4 projects may substitute any version of the LEED v4.1 credit - the original LEED v4.1 credit or any version found in addenda. This is noted in the Nov 2020 Addenda update: https://www.usgbc.org/articles/leed-addenda-update-november-2020.

Tier 2 in the November 2020 addenda includes both Tiers 2 and 3 from the July 2019 credit language, and Tier 3 in the November 2020 addenda includes both Tiers 4 and 5 from the July 2019 credit. The amount of points available for each type of renewable energy has not actually changed between versions. For example,  July 2019 Tier 3 was worth up to 5 points and is now part of Tier 2, which is also worth up to 5 points."  

Glad to hear that there is some sense to this. Still the case that the USGBC website lists resources that don't quite square with one another. makes it hard for the market.
 

Hi there,

I think the LEEDUsers Viewpoint portion of this credit needs to be updated. It seems to be referenced an older version of the credit?

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• One can still purchase RECs (or Energy Attribute Credits), and three points are available, but much higher thresholds are now imposed (100% to 300% of a project’s GHG emissions). To qualify, existing off-site renewables and Energy Attribute Credits (RECs) must be procured from projects that have come online or been built within the last 15 years.

Should I upgrade?

The thresholds for both on-site and off-site renewables are more difficult to achieve. However, the changes to this credit can produce greater benefits to the environment and so upgrading may be worth it.

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This does not jive with my readings of the credit. My understanding is that the thresholds for v4.1 are much easier to achieve than v4. Even with the 5 year vs 10 year multiplier.
For instance you can only get up to 2 points in v4 for Green Power & Carbon Offsets if you if you address 500% of the total energy (100% x 5 years). But in v4.1 you have many options and can get 5 points if you address 500% of the total energy (50%x10 years) with tier 2 RECs.

[There is some nuance here to be had with v4.1 stating " Renewable electricity and EAC procurement can only be applied to project electricity use or district energy use. Captured bio-methane can only be applied to project fuel use." ]

But still I would argue that the LEEDuser Viewpoint might need a re-look? Something to break down the difference between Tier 2 and Tier 3 and how v4.1 Tier 2 may be quite favorable of a swap over v4.

You make some good points Grace. We are seeing that some v4 projects are upgrading because they can get more points in the combined v4.1 credit than they get in the separate v4 credits.

Hi, Grace! With the help of Marcus and his colleague Tyler Thumma at 7group, we have updated the viewpoint tab. I hope it better reflects the most recent reality.